Wide Angle Optical System for LED Array

ABSTRACT

An optical system includes a lens and reflector configured to form a wide angle beam from light emitted from an array of LEDs by modifying only the component of emitted light that diverges from a reference plane. A central portion of the lens collimates emitted LED light relative to the reference plane containing the optical axes of the LEDs. A peripheral portion of the lens re-directs emitted LED light into an orientation perpendicular to the reference plane. The reflector surrounds the periphery of the lens and re-directs light from the peripheral portion of the lens into a direction parallel with the reference plane. The linear array of LEDs may include sub arrays projecting away from a support plane to enhance visibility of a resulting light signal from vantage points close to or aligned with the support plane.

BACKGROUND

The present invention relates generally to optical systems fordistributing light from a light source and more particularly to anoptical system for combining the light output of a plurality of LEDsinto a wide angle beam.

Commercially available LED's have characteristic spatial radiationpatterns with respect to an optical axis which passes through the lightemitting die. A common characteristic of all of LED radiation patternsis that light is emitted from one side of a plane containing the lightemitting die in a pattern surrounding the LED optical axis, which isperpendicular to the plane. Light generated by an LED is radiated withina hemisphere centered on the optical axis. The distribution of lightradiation within this hemisphere is determined by the shape and opticalproperties of the lens (if any) covering the light emitting die of theLED. Thus, LED's can be described as “directional” light sources, sinceall of the light they generate is emitted from one side of the device.

When designing light sources for a particular purpose, it is importantto maximize efficiency by ensuring that substantially all of thegenerated light is arranged in a pattern or field of illuminationdictated by the end use of the device into which the light source isincorporated. The somewhat limited overall light output of individualLEDs frequently necessitates that several discrete devices becooperatively employed to meet a particular photometric requirement.Employing LEDs in compact arrays additionally imposes cooling, i.e.,“heat sinking”, requirements to prevent heat from accumulating anddamaging the LEDs.

The use of LED's in warning and signaling lights is well known. Oldermodels of LED's produced limited quantities of light over a relativelynarrow viewing angle centered on an optical axis of the LED. These LED'swere typically massed in compact arrays to fill the given illuminatedarea and provide the necessary light output. More recently developed,high output LED's produce significantly greater luminous flux percomponent, permitting fewer LED's to produce the luminous flux requiredfor many warning and signaling applications. It is known to arrange asmall number of high-output LED's in a light fixture and provide eachhigh-output LED with an internally reflecting collimating lens such asthat shown in FIG. 2. The collimating lens organizes light from the LEDinto a collimated beam centered on the LED optical axis. Such anarrangement typically does not fill the light fixture, resulting in anundesirable appearance consisting of bright spots arranged against anunlit background. Light-spreading optical features on the outsidelens/cover are sometimes employed to improve the appearance of the lightfixture.

For purposes of this application, light emitted from an LED can bedescribed as “narrow angle” light emitted at an angle of less than about35° from the optical axis and “wide angle” light emitted at an angle ofmore than about 35° from the optical axis as shown in FIG. 1. Theinitial “emitted” trajectory of wide angle and narrow angle light maynecessitate manipulation by different portions of a reflector and/oroptical element to provide the desired illumination pattern.

This application will discuss optical arrangements for modifying theemitted trajectory of light from an LED with respect to a reference lineor plane. For purposes of this application, “collimated” means“re-directed into a trajectory substantially parallel with a referenceline or plane.” Substantially parallel refers to a trajectory within 5°of parallel with the reference line or plane. When discussingcollimation of light with respect to a plane, it will be understood thatthe component of the emitted trajectory divergent from the referenceplane is modified to bring the divergent component of the trajectorywithin 5° of parallel with the reference plane, while the component ofemitted trajectory parallel with the reference plane is not modified.For LEDs mounted to a vertical surface, light is emitted in ahemispherical pattern centered on the optical axes of the LEDs, whichare perpendicular to the vertical surface, i.e., the optical axis ofeach of the LEDs is horizontal. If the LEDs are mounted in a row, theoptical axes are included in the same horizontal plane, which istypically the horizontal reference plane. In this situation, “verticallycollimated” means that light which would diverge upwardly or downwardlyfrom the horizontal reference plane (containing the LED optical axes) isre-directed into a direction substantially parallel to the horizontalplane. Assuming no other obstruction or change of direction, verticallycollimated light from each LED will be dispersed across an arc ofapproximately 180° in a horizontal direction. The light of adjacent LEDsoverlaps to create a horizontal beam having a peak intensity many timesthe peak intensity of any one of the LEDs.

FIG. 2 illustrates a prior art collimator of a configuration frequentlyemployed in conjunction with LED light sources. Light from an LEDpositioned in a cavity defined by the collimator is organized into acollimated beam aligned with the optical axis of the LED. The knowninternally reflecting collimator for an LED is a molded solid of lighttransmissive plastic such as acrylic or polycarbonate. The radialperiphery of the collimator is defined by an aspheric internalreflecting surface flaring upwardly and outwardly to a substantiallyplanar light emission surface. The bottom of the collimator includes acavity centered over the LED optical axis. The cavity is defined by asubstantially cylindrical side-wall and an aspheric upper surface. Theaspheric upper surface is configured to refract light emitted at smallangles relative to the LED optical axis to a direction parallel with theLED optical axis. The shape of the aspheric upper surface is calculatedfrom the refractive properties of the air/solid interface, the positionof the LED point of light emission relative to the surface, theconfiguration of the surface through which the light will be emitted,and the desired direction of light emission, e.g., parallel to the LEDoptical axis. The mathematical relationship between the angle ofincidence of a light ray to a surface and the angle of the refracted rayto the surface is governed by Snell's Law: “The refracted ray lies inthe plane of incidence, and the sine of the angle of refraction bears aconstant ratio to the sine of the angle of incidence.” (sin θ/sinθ′=constant, where θ is the angle of incidence and θ′ is the angle ofrefraction)

For any particular point on the substantially cylindrical side-wall, thepath of light refracted into the collimator can be calculated usingSnell's law. The shape of the peripheral aspheric internal reflectingsurface is calculated from the path of light refracted by thesubstantially cylindrical side-wall surface, the configuration of thesurface through which light will be emitted, and the desired directionof light emission, e.g., parallel to the LED optical axis. The resultingaspheric internal reflecting surface redirects light incident upon it ina direction parallel to the optical axis of the LED.

The result is that substantially all of the light emitted from the LEDis redirected parallel to the optical axis of the LED to form acollimated beam. This arrangement efficiently gathers light from the LEDand redirects that light into a direction of intended light emission.Unless the light is somehow spread, the light from each LED appears tothe viewer as a bright spot the size and shape of the collimator. It istypically less efficient to collimate light and then re-direct thecollimated light into a desired pattern than it is to modify only thosecomponents of the emitted trajectory that do not contribute to thedesired emission pattern, while leaving desirable components of theemitted trajectory undisturbed.

SUMMARY

An embodiment of a disclosed optical system employs an optical elementin combination with a reflector to produce a wide angle beam havingenhanced surface area from light emitted from a plurality of LEDs. Thisarrangement expands the illuminated portion of a light assemblyincorporating the disclosed optical system. Although not limited to sucha use, the disclosed optical system may be employed in a warning lightfixed to a substantially vertical surface of an emergency vehicle. Insuch an orientation, the plurality of LEDs may be mounted to a supportthat extends outwardly from the vertical surface to enhance visibilityfrom positions close to parallel with the surface to which the warninglight is attached. For example, if the warning light is mounted to theside panel of the box of an ambulance, at least a portion of the LEDsmay be mounted to a support that projects away from the side panel ofthe ambulance.

The illustrated embodiment of the disclosed optical system can bedescribed with respect to a first plane parallel with the vehicle paneland a second plane containing the optical axes of a plurality of LEDsarranged along a line. Each of the LEDs has an optical axisperpendicular to a support surface to which the LED is mounted, so theoptical axes of the LEDs in each array are contained in a second planeperpendicular to the first plane. A single row of LEDs arranged along aline may be referred to as a linear array. In the disclosed exemplaryembodiment, the plane containing the optical axes of the LEDs is ahorizontal plane. Those skilled in the art will understand that lightgenerated from such an array of LEDs will have a range of emittedtrajectories, each with a directional component parallel with thehorizontal plane and a directional component divergent (up or down) fromthe horizontal plane. An illustrated embodiment of the disclosed opticalsystem employs an optical element (lens) configured to re-directspecific portions of light from the linear array in a pre-determinedway. A central portion of the optical element is configured to re-directlight with an emitted trajectory having a relatively small divergentdirectional component (light emitted at angles relatively close to thehorizontal plane) into trajectories substantially parallel with thehorizontal plane. This portion of the optical element is bisected by thehorizontal plane containing the optical axes of the LEDs. The peripheryof the optical element (surrounding the central portion) are configuredto re-direct light with an emitted trajectory having a relatively largedivergent directional component (light emitted at large angles relativeto the horizontal plane) into trajectories substantially perpendicularto the horizontal plane.

The illustrated optical element is defined by light entry and lightemission surfaces configured to cooperatively re-direct light emittedfrom the linear array of LEDs. The center of the optical element handleslight with emitted trajectories with a divergent directional componentbelow a pre-determined angle, while the periphery of the optical elementhandles light with emitted trajectories with a divergent directionalcomponent above the pre-determined angle. Together, the light entrysurfaces define a pocket that fits over the linear array of LEDs. Thelight emission surfaces define the top and side surfaces of the opticalelement. The light entry and light emission surfaces are formed byprojecting a sectional shape of the optical element along a linear focalaxis extending between the area of light emission (die) of the LED ateach end of the linear array. An end of the optical element may be asurface of rotation defined by rotating the sectional shape of theoptical element about the optical axis of an LED at and end of thelinear array.

The illustrated embodiment of the disclosed optical system employs areflector configured to surround the periphery of the optical elementand re-direct light emitted from the peripheral light emissionssurfaces. Light is emitted from the peripheral light emission surfacesperpendicular to light emitted from the central portion of the opticalelement. The reflector includes reflecting surfaces arranged tore-direct light emitted from the peripheral surfaces of the opticalelement into a direction generally parallel with the second plane. Thereflecting surfaces are spaced apart from the periphery of the opticalelement, giving added breadth and surface area to the light emissionpattern from the disclosed optical system.

The disclosed optical system is described in the context of a particularwarning light assembly intended for mounting to the vertical surface ofan emergency vehicle. The illustrated warning light assembly includesLED arrays arranged to produce a warning light signal and another LEDarray configured to provide area illumination around the emergencyvehicle. The LED arrays producing the warning light signal areconfigured to meet the requirements of SAE J845, J595, Class 1,California Title 13 or similar industry standards relevant to zonaloptical warning devices. The illustrated warning light assembly employsthe disclosed optical system to generate a warning light signal visibleover an arc of approximately 180° in a horizontal plane. A supportprojects away from the base of the warning light assembly (and away fromthe side of the vehicle) to enhance visibility of the resulting warninglight signal from vantage points close to parallel with the vehiclepanel to which the illustrated warning light assembly is attached. Oneexample of such a vantage point is a motorist or pedestrian in front orbehind an emergency vehicle path of travel when the warning lightassembly is mounted to one of the side panels of the vehicle.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a representation of an LED showing a lambertian light emissionpattern with respect to a reference plane P1;

FIG. 2 is a sectional view through a prior art total internal reflecting(TIR) optic commonly used with LED light sources;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view (from below) of a warning light assemblyincorporating an embodiment of the disclosed optical system;

FIG. 4 is a front plan view of the warning light assembly of FIG. 3 withthe outer lens removed to show the internal components;

FIG. 5 is a longitudinal sectional view through the warning lightassembly of FIG. 4, taken along line 5-5 thereof;

FIG. 6 is a vertical sectional view through the warning light assemblyof FIG. 4, taken along line 6-6 thereof;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the optical element and reflector of anembodiment of the disclosed optical system;

FIG. 8 is a longitudinal sectional view through the optical element andreflector of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a partial vertical sectional view through an embodiment of thedisclosed optical system in the context of the warning light assembly ofFIG. 3, with extraneous components omitted for clarity; and

FIG. 10 illustrates the support base, main PC board, warning arraybracket, and warning array PC boards of an illustrated embodiment of thewarning light assembly for use in conjunction with the disclosed opticalsystem.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSED EMBODIMENTS

An embodiment of the disclosed optical system will now be described withreference to FIGS. 3-10. FIG. 3 illustrates a warning light assembly 100incorporating an embodiment of the disclosed optical system designatedby reference number 10. The warning light assembly also incorporates asecond LED array and optical system 200 configured to produce area andground illumination adjacent an emergency vehicle to which the warninglight assembly 100 is mounted. The warning light assembly 100 isconfigured to be mounted to a vertical body panel of an emergencyvehicle (not shown) where the warning light assembly 10 generates awarning light signal while the second LED array and optical system 200provide ground and area illumination. Each of these functions arerequired by state, federal, and industry standards applicable toemergency vehicles such as fire trucks and ambulances. In the past,warning and area illumination functions were provided by separate lightassemblies mounted at various points on the vehicle body. Combining thewarning and area illumination functions into a single warning lightassembly should reduce the cost and complexity of installing suchsystems when constructing an emergency vehicle.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the warning light assembly 100 includes aheat sink 110, a bezel 112, and a sheet metal base 114, secured to theheat sink 110. A lens 116 (shown only in FIG. 3) mates with a frame 122to form an enclosure surrounding the internal components of the warninglight assembly 100. A rubber boot 120 extends from the rear of thewarning light assembly 100 to seal against the body panel and preventmoisture from passing through any openings in the body panel used todeliver electrical wiring to the warning light assembly.

The disclosed optical system 10 is used in conjunction with an array 12of LEDs 14. As best shown in FIG. 10, the array 12 of LEDs 14 includessix sub-arrays 16 of LEDs 14. Some of the sub-arrays 16 are mounted to amain PC board 18, while some of the sub-arrays 16 are mounted to a sheetmetal bracket 20 that projects away from the main PC board 18. Thesub-arrays arranged on the bracket 20 are mounted to a PC board assembly22 including two rigid boards connected by a flexible connector. Each PCboard assembly 22 includes an electrical connector 23 to deliverelectrical power to the sub-arrays 16. Each of the sub-arrays 16 may beenergized independently of the other sub-arrays, but most commonly allthe sub-arrays 16 will be energized at the same time to produce warninglight signals. The main PC board 18 is secured in thermal contact with asheet metal base 114. The main PC board 18 defines openings 24 thatallow the bracket 20 to be secured in thermal contact with the sheetmetal base 114. The sheet metal base 114 is mounted in thermal contactwith the heat sink 110, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. Together, the PCboards 18, 22, sheet metal bracket 20, sheet metal base 110 and heatsink 114 provide a thermal pathway for heat generated by the LEDs 14.When mounted to a vertical body panel (not shown), the heat sink 114fins are vertically oriented and aligned with openings 118 at the topand bottom of the bezel 112 to promote air flow to distribute heat fromthe warning light assembly 100 to the ambient environment.

As best shown in FIG. 5, the illustrated embodiment of the disclosedoptical system 10 includes an optical element (lens) 30 and a reflector40 configured to fit over the LED array 12, supported by the bracket 20.Each of the optical element 30 and reflector 40 are segmented, with eachsegment corresponding to a sub-array 16 of LEDs 14. Generally, therelationship between each segment of the optical element 30 and thereflector 40 to each sub-array 16 is the same, so the relationship willonly be described once. The bracket 20 supports four of the sub-arrays16 in a position extending away from the base 114. As shown in FIG. 8,the disclosed bracket 20 supports sub-arrays 16 at angle A of 20° andangle B of 70° with respect to the base 116, which is parallel with afirst plane P1. The bracket 20 extends the LED array 12 away from thebase 114 and directs the light from each sub-array 16 to produce ahighly conspicuous warning light signal extending over an arc of 180°.The extended position of the bracket 20, sub-arrays 16, optical element30 and reflector 40 enhance visibility of the resulting light signalfrom vantage points close to or aligned with the plane of the vehiclepanel to which the warning light assembly is attached.

FIG. 9 is an enlarged cross sectional view through a portion of thewarning light assembly 100, showing the optical system 10 in functionalrelation to the main PC board 18, sheet metal base 114 and heat sink110. This sectional view is taken at a position roughly corresponding toline 6-6 of FIG. 4. LED 14 is mounted to the main PC board 18 and theoptical element 30 is aligned with plane P1 at this position. Theoptical element 30 is defined by light entry surfaces 31, 32, and 33 andlight emission surfaces 34, 35, and 36. Light entry surfaces 31, 32, and33 define a pocket 37 that receives the upper portion of the LED 14,situating the light emitting die of the LED 14 at a focus of the opticalsystem 10. The surfaces defining each segment of the optical element 30are defined by projecting the sectional shape of the optical elementalong the linear focal axis 17 of the LED sub-array 16. The linear focalaxis 17 of each sub-array extends through the light emitting die at thecenter of each LED 14. The optical system 10 is configured to combinethe light from the LED array 12 into a wide angle, vertically collimatedbeam. In FIG. 9, plane P1 generally corresponds to a vertical directionand plane P2 generally corresponds to a horizontal direction.

The light entry and light emission surfaces of the optical element 30are configured to cooperate to re-direct light generated by the LEDarray 12 from an emitted trajectory to a pre-determined direction. Inthe illustrated embodiment, light entry surface 31 is configured tocooperate with light emission surface 34 to re-direct light emitted toone side of plane P2 at an angle greater than C, which in theillustrated embodiment is approximately 38°. The specific configurationof each surface is dependent upon the configuration of the pairedsurface and the desired direction of emission from the optical element.Any number of surface configuration combinations may be employed toachieve the desired re-direction. In the disclosed embodiment, lightentry surface 31 is an aspheric surface, while light emission surface isan elliptical surface. Light entry surface 32 and light emission surface35 have the same relationships and configurations as light entry surface31 and light emission surface 34 and are mirror images thereof.

The center of the optical element 30 is defined by light entry surface33 and light emission surface 36, which cooperate to re-direct lightfrom an emitted trajectory into a direction generally parallel withplane P2, as shown in FIG. 9. Again, the surfaces are configured toachieve a pre-determined re-direction of light from the LED array 12,with any number of surface configurations being compatible with thedisclosed optical element 30 and its function. In the disclosedembodiment, light entry surface 33 is an aspheric surface and lightemission surface 36 is an elliptical surface. Surfaces 33 and 36 areprojected along the linear focal axis 17 of the sub-array 16 until thesurfaces meet the corresponding surfaces of the next segment of theoptical element 30. In this manner, the relationship of the opticalelement 30 to each sub-array 16 is consistent along the length of theLED array 12 and the disclosed optical system.

The longitudinal ends 38 of the optical element 30 are defined by thesectional shape of the optical element 30 rotated about the optical axisAR1 of the LED 14 at each longitudinal end of the LED array 12. Thereflector 40 is similarly rotated about the optical axis of these LEDsto form a shape complementary to the rotated shape of the ends 38 of theoptical element 30. The optical element 30 and reflector 40 both take a110° turn at the top of the optical system 10, as shown in FIGS. 7 and8. The light entry and light emission surfaces defining the sectionalshape of the optical element 30 are rotated about an axis AR2, whichforms the curved portion 39 of the optical element 30. The curvedportion 39 blends light from one side of the LED array 12 with lightfrom the other side to form the desired wide angle beam. Blending lightfrom both sides of the LED array 12 also aids in avoiding an undesirabledark spot in the middle of the wide angle beam. Axes AR1 and AR2 aresubstantially perpendicular with each other.

Reflector 40 includes reflecting surfaces 42, 44 spaced apart from thelight emission surfaces 34, 35 of the optical element 30. Reflectingsurfaces 42, 44 are configured to re-direct light from the opticalelement 30 into a direction parallel with a horizontal plane illustratedin the Figures as P2. Reflecting surfaces 42, 44 are separated by a step46 that serves to shorten the height of the reflector and expand thelateral size of the emitted light signal. The shape and orientation ofthe reflecting surfaces 42, 44 are determined by the direction of lightincident upon them and the desired direction of light emission from theoptical system. In the illustrated embodiment, light leaves the opticalelement light emission surfaces 34, 35 in a direction generally parallelwith plane P1 as shown in FIG. 9. The reflecting surfaces 42, 44 areplanar surfaces oriented at an angle of 45° relative to the incidentlight and plane P1, resulting in light emitted from the optical system10 in the desired direction, which is perpendicular to plane P1 andgenerally parallel with plane P2. Each end of the reflector is rotatedabout axis AR1 to maintain the relationship between the light emissionsurface of the optical element 30 and the reflecting surfaces 42, 44.Reflecting surfaces 42, 44 and step 46 are also rotated about axis AR2to maintain the relationship with the optical element 30 light emissionsurfaces at the top of the optical system 10.

The illustrated embodiment of the disclosed optical system 10 isconfigured to modify the component of light emitted from the LED array12 that diverges from the desired horizontal beam, e.g., light that isemitted in directions up or down with respect to horizontal referenceplane P2. The illustrated embodiment of the disclosed optical system 10is configured to maintain the direction of emitted light that reinforcesthe desired light emission pattern, e.g., directional componentsparallel with horizontal plane P2. The illustrated embodiment spaces thereflecting surfaces 42, 44 laterally from the LED array 12 to generate ahorizontal beam having a large surface area to enhance visibility andcover additional area of the warning light assembly 100.

The disclosed optical system 10 has been described in the context of aspecific application, but those skilled in the art will recognize otheruses. The disclosed optical system 10 has been described with specificsurface configurations, but is not limited to those specific shapes andthose skilled in the art will recognize simple modifications to achievethe same or similar functionality. The description is by way ofillustration and not limitation.

What is claimed:
 1. An LED light assembly configured for mounting to asubstantially vertical surface comprising: a base included in a firstplane parallel to said vertical surface; a first support included in athird plane divergent from said first plane, said first supportincluding a heat sink and a PC board to which are mounted a firstplurality of LEDs, said first plurality of LEDs arranged along a firstlinear focal axis parallel with said first support and included in asecond plane perpendicular to said first support, each of said firstplurality of LEDs emitting light in a hemispherical pattern directedaway from said first support, each of said LEDs having an optical axisin said second plane and perpendicular to said third plane; a firstoptical element arranged to collect light from said first plurality ofLEDs and having a first longitudinal axis aligned with said first linearfocal axis, said first optical element comprising first, second, andthird light entry surfaces and first, second, and third light emissionsurfaces, said first and second light entry surfaces and said first andsecond light emission surfaces separated by said second plane and saidthird light entry surface and said third light emission surface arebisected by said second plane, said first and second light entrysurfaces configured to cooperate with said first and second lightemission surfaces, respectively, to re-direct light emitted from saidfirst plurality of LEDs into a trajectory substantially parallel withsaid third plane, and said third light entry surface cooperates withsaid third light emission surface to re-direct light emitted from saidfirst plurality of LEDs into a trajectory substantially parallel withsaid second plane; and a first reflector having first and secondreflecting surfaces aligned with said first linear focal axis andarranged to reflect light emitted from said first and second lightemission surfaces, respectively, into a trajectory substantiallyparallel with said second plane, said first and second reflectingsurfaces separated by said second plane and spaced apart from said firstand second light emission surfaces; a second support parallel to saidfirst plane, said second support including a heat sink and a PC board towhich are mounted a second plurality of LEDs, said second plurality ofLEDs arranged along a second linear focal axis parallel with saidsupport and included in the second plane perpendicular to said secondsupport, each of said plurality of LEDs emitting light in ahemispherical pattern directed away from said second support, each ofsaid LEDs having an optical axis in said second plane and perpendicularto said first plane; a second optical element arranged to collect lightfrom said second plurality of LEDs and having a second longitudinal axisaligned with said second linear focal axis, said second optical elementcomprising fourth, fifth, and sixth light entry surfaces and fourth,fifth, and sixth light emission surfaces, said fourth and fifth lightentry surfaces and said fourth and fifth light emission surfacesseparated by said second plane and said sixth light entry surface andsaid sixth light emission surface bisected by said second plane, saidfourth and fifth light entry surfaces configured to cooperate with saidfourth and fifth light emission surfaces, respectively, to re-directlight emitted from said second plurality of LEDs into a trajectorysubstantially parallel with said first plane, and said sixth light entrysurface cooperates with said sixth light emission surface to re-directlight emitted from said second plurality of LEDs into a trajectorysubstantially parallel with said second plane; and a second reflectorhaving third and fourth reflecting surfaces aligned with said secondlinear focal axis and arranged to reflect light emitted from said fourthand fifth light emission surfaces, respectively, into a trajectorysubstantially parallel with said second plane, said fourth and fifthreflecting surfaces separated by said second plane and spaced apart fromsaid fourth and fifth reflecting surfaces; wherein said first, second,and third light entry surfaces and said first, second and third lightemission surfaces are defined by a first cross sectional shape of saidfirst optical element projected along said first linear focal axis andsaid fourth, fifth, and sixth light entry surfaces and said fourth,fifth, and sixth light emission surfaces are defined by a second crosssectional shape of said second optical element projected along saidsecond linear focal axis.
 2. The LED light assembly of claim 1, whereinsaid first optical element further comprises a curved portion defined byrotating said first, second, and third light entry surfaces and saidfirst, second, and third light emission surfaces about a first axisparallel to said first plane and perpendicular to said first linearfocal axis, and said curved portion configured to redirect light emittedfrom said first plurality of LEDs into a trajectory substantiallyparallel to said second plane.
 3. The LED light assembly of claim 1,further comprising a plurality of first supports divergent from saidfirst plane, a plurality of second supports parallel to said firstplane, a plurality of first and second optical elements, and a pluralityof first and second reflectors, said plurality of first and secondsupports each contain said plurality of LEDs included in said secondplane.
 4. The LED light assembly of claim 3, wherein said plurality offirst and second supports, said plurality of first and second opticalelements, and said first and second plurality of reflectors aresubstantially symmetrically disposed opposite a fourth planeperpendicular to said first plane and said second plane.
 5. The LEDlight assembly of claim 2, further comprising a plurality of firstsupports divergent from said first plane, a plurality of second supportsparallel to said first plane, a plurality of first and second opticalelements, and a plurality of first and second reflectors, said pluralityof first and second supports each contain said plurality of LEDsincluded in said second plane.
 6. The LED light assembly of claim 5,wherein said plurality of first and second supports, said plurality offirst and second optical elements, and said plurality of first andsecond reflectors are substantially symmetrically disposed opposite afourth plane perpendicular to said first plane and said second plane,and said plurality of first optical elements and said plurality of firstreflectors cooperate to emit a continuous beam of light along saidsecond plane.
 7. The LED light assembly of claim 5, wherein saidplurality of first and second supports, said plurality of first andsecond optical elements, and said plurality of first and secondreflectors are substantially symmetrically disposed opposite a fourthplane perpendicular to said first plane and said second plane, and saidplurality of first and second optical elements and said plurality offirst and second reflectors cooperate to emit a continuous beam of lightalong said second plane.
 8. The LED light assembly of claim 1, whereinsaid first, second, and third light entry surfaces and said first,second, and third light emission surfaces are substantially similar tosaid fourth, fifth, and sixth light entry surfaces and said fourth,fifth, and sixth light emission surfaces relative to said third andfirst planes, respectively.
 9. The LED light assembly of claim 1,wherein the said first, second, and third light emission surfaces andthe from said fourth, fifth, and sixth light emission surfaces emitlight in similar trajectories relative to said third and first planes,respectively.
 10. The LED light assembly of claim 1, wherein said firstcross sectional shape is substantially similar to said second crosssectional shape.